Cable guide tensioner for regulator system

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for applying tension to a cable in a regulator system, include: permitting the cable to slide over a length of the peripheral surface extending between an entry point and exit point on a cable guide tensioner; and urging the cable guide tensioner to rotate where the rotation results in varying at least one of the length and a distance between the entry point and exit point, and induce tension in the cable.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is directed to regulator systems that employcables to move components, such as in a vehicle to open and close awindow, a sunroof, a power sliding door, a power lift gate, etc., ormake seat adjustments, activate handicap ramps, or the like.

By way of example, regulators that utilize a cable drive mechanism(e.g., rail or rail-less regulators) typically employ cables for movingwindows, doors, ramps, etc. to various positions within a system. Thecable is attached to the item or object to be moved, such as to thewindow and/or a window lift plate (a plate that connects the liftmechanics to an edge, usually the bottom edge, of the window) and isguided by pulleys, conduits, channels, and other types of guidemechanisms to a driving source, such as an actuator drum or the like.

Maintaining tension in the cable is important for effective operation ofthe regulator system. A loose cable can result in an inoperableregulator, especially if the cable or a portion of the cable separatesfrom the guide mechanics. Typically, springs in combination with pulleysand/or guide blocks, are used to maintain the desired tensioning forceon the cable. However, the use of springs, guide blocks and pulleys inregulator systems increases the costs and complexities of manufacturingand/or repairing the systems.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a mechanism for maintainingtension in the cable of a regulator system that reduces the costs andcomplexities of manufacture and repair of the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a regulatorsystem that employs a tensioning source to maintain desired tension of acable while reducing the parts count and complexity (e.g., byeliminating one or more springs and/or pulleys), reducing costs, andproviding design flexibility for pulley clearances, item travel (e.g.,window pane travel), Bowden-less cable systems, or the like.

In accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention, systemsare disclosed for employing one or more cable guide tensioners, such aswith at least a window lift plate in a vehicle or the like, for openingand closing a window in response to an actuator or driving source.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, acable guide tensioner includes: first and second spaced apart opposingsurfaces, and a peripheral surface extending between the first andsecond surfaces. The tensioner operates to: slidingly engage the cableover a length of the peripheral surface extending between an entry pointand exit point; and vary at least one of the length and a straight-linedistance between the entry point and exit point as a function ofrotation about a pivotal axis, the pivotal axis extending transverse tothe first and second surfaces.

The cable guide tensioner is operable to provide a spring force to thecable such that the spring force is biased to rotate the cable guidetensioner and expand a distance of cable travel, and induce tension inthe cable. Through a series of rotational orientations, the cable guidetensioner rotates from a starting ‘rest position’ orientation, where thetensioner has not yet been activated or engaged to expand a distance ofcable travel, to one of a series of engaged ‘activated position’orientations, which serve to expand the distance of cable travel so thatany cable slack (resulting in a lowered cable tension) is compensatedfor by the increase in distance. In this manner the cable tension of theregulator system is maintained at a selected cable tension.

The cable guide tensioner may be operable to rotate through a series oforientations from a resting position orientation to an activatedposition orientation as the cable stretches such that tension ismaintained sufficiently high within the cable. For example, the cableguide tensioner may be operable to attain the first activated positionorientation when the tension in the cable falls below a selectedthreshold tension. The spring force of cable guide tensioner may bebiased toward the activated position orientation, thereby applying thespring forces to the cable and tending to expand the distance of cabletravel, and induce tension in the cable.

Alternatively or additionally, the cable guide tensioner is operable torotate through a series of orientations in only one direction by aratchet mechanism, each orientation representing one sliding movement ofa complementary plurality of ratchet teeth. The ratchet teeth areorientated to allow movement of the cable guide tensioner in only onedirection so that the distance of cable travel, and thus cable tension,will increase.

Alternatively or additionally, the cable guide tensioner is operable torotate through a series of orientations preferably in one direction toincrease the distance of cable travel, and thus cable tension. However,if the cable tension is overcompensated for by the rotation of the cableguide tensioner, a second spring force of the cable guide tensionerbiased toward the resting position would disengage the unidirectionalratchet teeth by a release latch and rotate the cable guide tensionerback one or more orientations to reduce the cable tension.

Other aspects, features, advantages, etc. will become apparent to oneskilled in the art when the description of the invention herein is takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of illustration, there are forms shown in the drawingsthat are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that theinvention is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cable regulator system employing a cableguide tensioner in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cable guide tensioner in accordancewith at least one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken through line 3-3 of the cableguide tensioner of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the cable guide tensioner of FIG. 2 inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present invention where thetensioner is in the resting position having the shortest availablelength and distance between the entry point and exit point of the cable.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the cable guide tensioner of FIG. 2 inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present invention where thetensioner is in an activated position in which the tensioner has rotatedand increased the length and distance between the entry point and exitpoint of the cable in response to cable slack.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the base structure in accordance with at leastone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken through line 7-7 of the basestructure of FIG. 6 in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a peripheral view of the cable guide tensioner of FIG. 2connected to the base structure of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cable guide tensioner of FIG. 2connected to the base structure of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cable guide tensioner in accordancewith at least one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the base structure in accordance with at leastone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a peripheral view of the cable guide tensioner of FIG. 10connected to the base structure of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the cable guide tensioner takenthrough line 3-3 of the cable guide tensioner of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

For the purposes of describing various aspects of the present invention,reference may be made to using a cable guide tensioner in a windowregulator system of a vehicle. Indeed, embodiments of the invention havespecific utility in the window regulator context. It will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art, however, that the various embodiments ofthe cable guide tensioner described and claimed herein may haveapplication to many other areas, including movement of a window, asunroof, a sliding door, a lift gate, a lift platform (such as for ahandicap ramp), one or more portions of a seat (such as the seat back,seat base, forward/rearward position, etc.), or the like. In the case ofwindow regulator systems, the embodiments of the present invention haveapplicability for use in operating windows of a vehicle, such as a car,truck, van, boat, motor vehicle, or the like.

In particular, the cable guide tensioner of the present invention isdirected to guide a cable in the system, apply tension in the cable, andmaintain the tension (at least to a degree) as the cable stretches overits life.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cable guide regulator system 100 inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present invention. The cableguide regulator system 100 may be for a vehicle window (and may bereferred to as such) or any of the aforementioned other applications.The cable guide regulator system 100 is operable to move an object(generally designated 10) and includes at least one cable guidetensioner 102, a base structure, a cable 106, a driving source 108, andanother cable guide element 110. The cable 106 may have springs 14 (suchas a coil spring) at the ends of the cable 106.

As discussed above, the object 10 may take on any number of forms, suchas for a window of a vehicle. In such an example, the object 10 mayinclude a window lift plate coupled to a bottom edge of a window panel.Respective ends of the cable 106 originate at, and are coupled to, theobject 10 and traverse the cable guide tensioner 102, the driving source108, and the cable guide element 110. The driving source 108 engages thecable 106 such that it is operable to actuate and move the cable 106around the cable guide element 110 and cable guide tensioner 102,thereby moving the object 10 down or up (in the example of FIG. 1) or inother directions depending on the application. Those skilled in the artwill recognize that any type of driving source 108 may be used toactuate and/or drive the cable 106, such as an actuator drum or thelike, either motorized or manual.

In some embodiments, such as in a window regulator system, the cableguide regulator system 100 may include a base to couple the cable guidetensioner 102 to a carrier module of a vehicle door. The base may bepart of, or integrated to, the carrier module, the carrier module beinga regulator rail, sheet metal inner or other component known to askilled artisan. A guide rail 12 may be coupled to the carrier module toprovide a guide for the object (e.g., the window lift plate and window)along a predetermined path or direction as shown by the arrows.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, thecable guide tensioner 102 is operable to impart tension to the cable106. As will be discussed in more detail later in this description, thisis accomplished by providing a spring functionality at the cable guidetensioner 102, which engages the base such that the cable guidetensioner 102 tends to be biased to expand the length and/or axisbetween the entry point and exit point of the cable 106, and inducetension in, the cable 106. This eliminates the need for a separatesprings 14 (such as a coil spring) at the end of the cable 106.

In one or more embodiments, the cable guide element 110 may be aconventional pulley, in which case a spring 14 may be employed at theend of the cable 106 at the bottom of the object 10. Preferably,however, the cable guide element 110 is also a cable guide tensioner102, in which case no pulleys and/or coil springs need remain in thesystem 100 to provide tension to the cable 106. Elimination of springs14 and/or pulleys from the system 100 increases the packaging area inthe area of the object 10 (such as the window lift plate), therebypermitting any mechanisms for coupling the cable 106 to the object 10 tobe of a reduced size. Elimination of parts also reduces manufacturingand repair costs and/or complexities.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a perspective view of thecable guide tensioner 102. The cable guide tensioner 102 includes afirst opposing surface 200 and a second opposing surface 202. Theperimeters of the two opposing surfaces 200, 202 are shaped so that thesurfaces are in the form of a circle, oblong shape, curvilinear shape,ellipse or an oval. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the perimetersof the two opposing surfaces 200, 202 form an oval. The cable guidetensioner 102 includes a peripheral surface 204 between the two opposingsurfaces 200, 202. The first opposing surface 200 and the secondopposing surface 202 extend transversely beyond the peripheral surface204 and form a first and second channel wall 206 and 208. The peripheralsurface 204 and the first and second channel walls 206 and 208 form achannel operable to permit the cable 106 to slide therein and to changethe direction of travel of the cable 106 (e.g., change the direction byabout 180 degrees) The walls 206 and 208 are sized and shaped to guideand maintain the cable 106 in the channel, without permitting the cable106 to slip off the peripheral surface 204. A pivotal axis, Pi, isdefined as extending transversely through a pivotal axis aperture 210situated through the first opposing surface 200 and second opposingsurface 202 of the cable guide tensioner 102.

The cable guide tensioner 102 includes a connecting mechanism 112 thatconnects the cable guide tensioner 102 to a stationary surface andfunctions to allow movement (e.g., rotation) of the cable guidetensioner 102 in one direction. The connecting mechanism 112 may be inthe form of a ratchet-type system. A shaft 212, having a widened endcap, is situated in the aperture 210 so that the shaft 212 is transverseto the opposing surfaces 200 and 202 and that one end of the shaft 212extends through the opposing surfaces 200 and 202 to permit the cableguide tensioner 102 to rotate about the shaft 212. The cable guidetensioner 102 includes a spring 214 having two ends, situated around thepivotal axis aperture 210. One end of the spring 214 is disposed onopposing surface 200 at the spring attachment aperture 216, and theother end of the spring 214 is attached to a base (as shown in FIG. 6).The spring 214 may also be situated around the connecting mechanism 112(not shown). The spring 214 functions to provide a spring force torotationally bias the cable guide tensioner 102 and expand a distance ofcable travel, and induce tension in the cable 106.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a cross-sectionalview taken through line 3-3 of FIG. 2. Disposed on the opposing surface200 encircling the spring 214 is a first plurality of ratchet teeth 218.As shown, the pivotal axis aperture 210 is situated transversely to theopposing surfaces 200 and 202. The orientation of the pivotal axisaperture 210 relative to the spring attachment aperture 216 and thefirst plurality of ratchet teeth 218 is shown. Also evidenced by thiscross-sectional view is the location of the pivotal axis aperture 210such that it is located off-center from the cable guide tensioner 102and functions to permit the rotation of the cable guide tensioner 102 ina manner to expand or contract the distance of cable travel.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the cable guide tensioner 102 is in the restingposition orientation. The resting position orientation is defined as anorientation at which the cable guide tensioner 102 does notsubstantially expand (or minimizes) the distance of cable travel. Theresting position orientation may be when the spring 214 is in the mostwound position. The peripheral surface 204 includes an entry point 220,which is defined as the point where the cable 106 first makes contactwith the peripheral surface 204. The peripheral surface 204 furtherincludes an exit point 222, which is defined as the point where thecable 106 last makes contact with the peripheral surface 204. The entryand exit points 220 and 222 change position along the peripheral surface204 depending on the rotational orientation of the cable guide tensioner102 relative to the base (as shown in FIG. 6) A path length, L, isdefined as the length measured along the peripheral surface 204 betweenthe entry point 220 and the exit point 222. A distance, D, is defined asthe shortest, straight-line, distance between the entry point 220 andthe exit point 222. The L and D measurements vary as the cable guidetensioner 102 moves from the resting position orientation to one of aseries of activated position orientations. The activated positionorientation is defined as any of a series of rotational orientations ofthe cable guide tensioner 102 about the pivotal axis, Pi, resulting froma need to increase cable tension. This expands the distance of cabletravel and compensates for cable slack. It is a preferred function ofthe cable guide tensioner 102 that both L and D measurements are thegreatest at the maximal activated position orientation.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cable guide tensioner 102 is positioned at onerotational orientation of the activated position. The activated positionresults when the cable guide tensioner 102 rotates in response to aslackening of the cable tension, and thus L and D are increased. Theincreased L and D distances are directly related to a selected tensionlevel (or within a preferred range) that permits the cable guideregulator system 100 to function properly.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a side view of the base 114.The base 114 includes a surface 300 which may be part of, or integratedto, the carrier module of the vehicle door panel and functions as astationary surface to which the cable guide tensioner 102 may beengaged. The carrier module may be a regulator rail, sheet metal inneror other component known to a skilled artisan. The base 114 furtherincludes an aperture 302 disposed through the surface 300, thatfunctions to receive the exposed end of the shaft 212 of the cable guidetensioner 102. The aperture 302 further includes threads 304 (as shownin FIG. 7) that function to receive the shaft 212 having complementarythreads so that the shaft 212 is stationary in the base 114 and permitsthe cable guide tensioner 102 to rotate freely. The shaft 212 may alsobe in the form of a rivet or axle. The base 114 further includes aconnecting mechanism 112 that connects the base 114 to the cable guidetensioner 102 and functions to allow movement (e.g., rotation) of thecable guide tensioner 102 in one direction relative to the base 114. Theconnecting mechanism 112 may be in the form of a ratchet-type system. Acomplementary spring attachment aperture 306 disposed in, or through,the surface 300, functions to receive one end of the spring 214.Disposed on the surface 300, encircling the aperture 302 andcomplementary spring attachment aperture 306, is a second plurality ofratchet teeth 308. The second plurality of teeth 308 are complementaryto the first plurality of teeth 218 (as depicted in FIG. 2) so that theycontact each other and function to permit the rotation of the cableguide tensioner 102 about the pivotal axis Pi in only one direction.Thus, the cable guide tensioner 102 comes to rest at any of a series oforientations. As the teeth of the first plurality 218 slide over theteeth of the second plurality 308, the cable guide tensioner 102 rotatesto the next ‘active position’ orientation. Each orientation differs fromthe next orientation by the granularity determined by the respectivesizes and configuration of the teeth.

FIG. 7 represents a cross-sectional view taken through line 7-7 of FIG.6. The orientation of the aperture 302 relative to the complementaryspring attachment aperture 306 and the second plurality of ratchet teeth308 is shown. The aperture 302 further includes threads 304 disposed onthe interior surface of the aperture.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 8 and 9, where FIG. 8 is a peripheralview of the cable guide tensioner 102 disposed on the base 114 via theconnecting mechanism 112, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional viewillustrating the function and operation of the cable guide tensioner 102to achieve the aforementioned spring forces against the cable 106. Asshown, the cable guide tensioner 102 and base 114 engage one another bythe first and second plurality of teeth 218 and 308. The smooth end ofthe shaft 212 slides through the pivotal axis aperture 210 of cableguide tensioner 102, and the threaded end of the shaft 212 is threadedonto the inner threads 304 of the aperture 302 on the base 114 until thewidened end cap of the shaft 212 is snug against the opposing surface202. According to one embodiment of the invention, the connectingmechanism 112 may further include a first compliance spring 310 coaxialwith the shaft 212 and situated between the cable guide tensioner 102and the base 114, and a second compliance spring 312 coaxial with theshaft 212 and situated between the widened end cap of the shaft 212 andthe cable guide tensioner 102. The compliance springs 310, 312 functionto provide a spring force to the cable guide tensioner 102 such that thespring force is biased to expand the distance between the cable guidetensioner 102 and the base 114 so as to permit the first and secondplurality of teeth 218 and 308 to snugly engage one another yet providea sufficient amount of give to allow the teeth to slide over oneanother.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 10 and 11, where FIG. 10 is a perspectiveview of an embodiment the cable guide tensioner 102 and FIG. 11 is aside view of the base structure 114. In addition to the features of thecable guide tensioner 102 as described for FIG. 2, excluding the spring214 and the spring attachment aperture 216, the cable guide tensioner102 includes a rod 400 disposed transversely on the first opposingsurface 200. The base 114 includes a curved channel 402 along thesurface 300 such that the curve is complementary to the curvature of therotation of the cable guide tensioner 102 along the pivotal axis Pi. Thelocation of the rod 400 on the first opposing surface 200 may be adaptedto complement the location of the curved channel 402. The length of therod 400 is adapted so that one end of the rod 400 extends through, andis received transversely into, the channel 402 and will not slip out. Aspring 404 is situated within the channel 402 so that one end isadjacent to a channel wall while the other end is situated against therod 400. FIG. 12 is a peripheral view of the cable guide tensioner 102of FIG. 10 connected to the base structure and illustrates theorientation of the rod 400 in relation to the channel 402 and spring 404of the base 114. The spring 404 functions to create a spring force tobias the cable guide tensioner 102 to rotate to the next ‘activeposition’ orientation.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the cable guidetensioner 102. The cable guide tensioner 102, as described above, mayfurther include at least one integrated spring finger 500 disposed onthe opposing surface 200. The integrated spring fingers 500 function toprovide a spring force to the cable guide tensioner 102 such that thedistance between the cable guide tensioner 102 and the base 114 expandsso as to permit the first and second plurality of teeth 218 and 308 tosnugly engage one another yet provide a sufficient amount of give toallow the teeth to slide over one another. The amount of spring forcemay be optimized by adjusting the height of the integrated springfingers 500. The integrated spring fingers 500 may or may not be used inconjunction with the first compliance spring 310 and second compliancespring 312. It is also understood that one or more integrated springfinger 500 may alternatively be disposed on the surface 300 of the base114, or may be disposed on both the first opposing surface 200 andsurface 300.

Thus, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the cableguide tensioner 102 provides a spring force to the cable 106 such that adistance of cable travel expands, and tension is induced in the cable.The cable guide tensioner 102 is operable to rotate through a pluralityof orientations from a first resting position orientation to any one ofa series of activated position orientations such that tension ismaintained sufficiently high within the cable 106. In this regard, thelength (L) between the entry point 220 and exit point 222 of the cable106 varies as the cable guide tensioner 102 rotates through a pluralityof orientations. Similarly, the distance D between entry and exit points220 and 222 of the cable 106 entering and exiting the channel 200 alsovaries as the cable guide tensioner 102 rotates.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A regulator system, comprising: an object; a cable coupled to, andoperating to move, the object in response to a driving source; and atleast one cable guide tensioner including first and second spaced apartopposing surfaces, and a peripheral surface extending between the firstand second surfaces, the at least one cable guide tensioner operatingto: (i) slidingly engage the cable over a length of the peripheralsurface, the length extending between an entry point and exit point; and(ii) vary at least one of the length and a straight-line distancebetween the entry point and the exit point as a function of rotationabout a pivotal axis, the pivotal axis extending transversely throughthe first and second opposing surfaces.
 2. The regulator systemaccording to claim 1, wherein peripheral edges of the first and secondopposing surfaces circumscribe shapes selected from the group consistingof: a circle, an oblong shape, a curvilinear shape, an ellipse and anoval.
 3. The regulator system according to claim 1, wherein the pivotalaxis is located at a position such that at least one of the length andthe straight-line distance increases as the cable guide tensionerrotates about the pivotal axis.
 4. The regulator system according toclaim 3, further comprising: a biasing mechanism that urges the cableguide tensioner to rotate about the pivotal axis; a stationary surfacethat operates to provide a base about which the cable guide tensionercan rotate; and a connecting mechanism that operates to connect thecable guide tensioner to the stationary surface.
 5. The regulator systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises at leastone spring having first and second ends, the first end of the springcoupled to the first opposing surface of the cable guide tensioner andthe second end coupled to the stationary surface.
 6. The regulatorsystem according to claim 4, wherein the cable guide tensioner furthercomprises a rod disposed transversely on the first opposing surface andengages a channel located in the stationary surface and functions toguide the cable guide tensioner along the channel.
 7. The regulatorsystem according to claim 6, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises atleast one spring having first and second ends, the first end of thespring adjacent being coupled to the channel located in the stationarysurface and the second end of the spring being coupled to the rod of thecable guide tensioner, and the at least one spring operating to urge thecable guide tensioner to rotate about the pivotal axis.
 8. The regulatorsystem according to claim 4, wherein the stationary surface isintegrated with a carrier module of a vehicle door panel.
 9. Theregulator system according to claim 4, wherein: the connecting mechanismfurther comprises a ratchet apparatus having a first set of teethdisposed on the first opposing surface of the cable guide tensioner, anda second set of teeth disposed on the stationary surface; and the firstand second sets of teeth are situated and shaped such that engagementthereof permits the cable guide tensioner to rotate about the pivotalaxis only in one direction.
 10. The regulator system according to claim4, wherein: the cable guide tensioner further comprises an apertureextending through at least one of the first and second opposing surfacesat the pivotal axis; and the connecting mechanism further comprises ashaft having first and second ends, the shaft extending through theaperture of the cable guide tensioner and coupling to the stationarysurface such that the cable guide tensioner is rotatable about theshaft.
 11. The regulator system according to claim 10, wherein: theconnecting mechanism further comprises a ratchet apparatus having afirst set of teeth disposed on the first opposing surface of the cableguide tensioner, and a second set of teeth disposed on the stationarysurface; and the first and second sets of teeth are situated and shapedsuch that engagement thereof permits the cable guide tensioner to rotateabout the pivotal axis only in one direction.
 12. The regulator systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the connecting mechanism further includesat least one compliance spring coaxial with the shaft, and operating toprovide a spring force to expand a distance between the cable guidetensioner and the stationary surface and to urge the first and secondplurality of teeth to snugly engage one another while also providing asufficient amount of give to allow the first and second sets of teeth toslide over one another.
 13. The regulator system according to claim 12,wherein at least one compliance spring is situated between the cableguide tensioner and the stationary surface.
 14. The regulator systemaccording to claim 12, wherein at least one compliance spring issituated between the cable guide tensioner and the stationary surfaceand a second compliance spring is situated between a widened end cap andthe opposing surface of the cable guide tensioner.
 15. The regulatorsystem according to claim 11, wherein the cable guide tensioner furthercomprises at least one integrated spring finger disposed on the firstopposing surface and operates to provide a spring force to expand adistance between the cable guide tensioner and the stationary surfaceand to urge the first and second plurality of teeth to snugly engage oneanother yet provide a sufficient amount of give to allow the first andsecond sets of teeth to slide over one another.
 16. The regulator systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the stationary surface further comprisesat least one integrated spring finger thereon and operates to provide aspring force to expand the distance between the cable guide tensionerand the stationary surface and urge the first and second plurality ofteeth to snugly engage one another yet provide a sufficient amount ofgive to allow the first and second sets of teeth to slide over oneanother.
 17. The regulator system of claim 1, further comprising atleast one pulley that is connected to a motor and functions to drive thecable.
 18. The regulator system of claim 1, wherein one of: the objectis a window and the base structure is a carrier module of a vehicledoor; the object is a sunroof of a vehicle; the object is a sliding doorof a vehicle; the object is a lift gate of a vehicle; the object is alift platform of a handicap ramp for a vehicle; and the object is amovable portion of a vehicle seat.
 19. A method of applying tension to acable in a regulator system, comprising: permitting the cable to slideover a length of a peripheral surface of a cable guide tensioner havingan entry point and an exit point; and rotating the cable guide tensionersuch that at least one of the length and a straight-line distancebetween the entry point and exit point are increased and induce tensionin the cable.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: permittingthe cable guide tensioner to rotate in one direction that results inincreasing at least one of the length and the straight-line distancebetween the entry point and exit point, and prohibiting the cable guidetensioner from rotating in an opposite direction.